Paul's Appeal for Prayer

Let's now begin our worship this evening. We're going to sing, first of all, in Psalm 107.

Psalm 107 on page 143, and we're singing to a tune Peter some, verses 1 to 9.

O thank the Lord, for He is good, His love endures always. Let those whom God redeemed

say this, those rescued by His grace. He saved them from their enemies and brought them from the

lands, from east and west, from north and south, safe from oppressing hands. And so on, singing down

as far as verse 9 to tune Peter some, that's Psalm 107. We stand to sing these verses.

O thank the Lord, for He is good, His love endures always. Let those whom God redeemed say this,

those rescued by His grace. He saved them from their enemies and brought them from the lands,

from east and west, from north and south, safe from oppressing hands.

Some wondered in the desert ways, not finding any way, to reach a city where they might obtain

a place to stay. Their life unspent, dwelling past, in thirst and emptiness. Then in despair they saw the Lord,

who saved them from distress.

who saved them from distress.

Straight was the path He led them on, a city to attain.

So for the Lord's unfailing love, let them give thanks again. And for the awesome deeds of power,

which He for them achieved, for hungry souls He filled with good, the thirsty He released.

Let's now engage in prayer. Let's call upon the Lord in prayer.

Almighty and gracious God, help us as we bow in your presence to truly take note of these words that we have been singing in your praise.

O Lord our God, we give thanks to you tonight, that your mercy and your grace are so abundant toward us.

And we give thanks for the way that you constantly lead your people, for the way that you have this glorious end in view for them,

that you will bring them into that city that has foundations, of which you are the builder and maker.

We acknowledge, O Lord, that much happens from the time of our birth to our leaving this world.

But we thank you that by your grace you guide your people,

and all the things that take place in their experience are experiences by which they return their thanks and draw near to your independence.

Forgive us, Lord, we pray, for our shortcomings, even in regard to this.

There are so many ways in which you bless us from day to day.

You bless us in the ordinary course of life, which we cannot itself separate from those spiritual blessings that are in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

We give thanks, O Lord, that tonight we gather to worship you, to fall down in adoration before you,

the God who created heaven and earth and all that is in them,

the God who counts the number of the stars and names them every one.

We cannot, Lord, even reach in our own vision to the stars around us in the universe in the way in which we seek, Lord, in admiration to look upon the work of your hand.

We thank you, Lord, that you know them each one.

And we give thanks that your greatness is thereby described for us as your word sets out for us those aspects of your being and of your works that your people admire.

Lord, help us, we pray, to come believing that you are God and believing that you are the rewarder of those who faithfully seek you.

We thank you tonight, Lord, that we come in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

We thank you for the assurance that you give us that all who come in his name and pleading, O Lord, his merits before you are accepted by you and received into fellowship with himself and with you as our Father.

We bless you, Lord, for the work of your Holy Spirit and for the way that we can look back upon even this congregation itself and know with gratitude and give thanks that your Spirit has been at work here over many generations.

As many congregations, as many congregations also can say.

Lord, we thank you that this gives us encouragement.

What you have promised to your people is that as you have blessed them in the past, so your blessing will continue through the generations to come of your people.

We take encouragement, O Lord, tonight from the assurance of your own work, the assurance of your promises toward us, the assurance that you will bring your people to know yourself.

And that you know those that are yours and that you know those that are yours and that your foundation stands sure, having this seal that the Lord knows those who are his.

And let all who name the name of God depart from wickedness.

Bless us, Lord, we pray under your word.

Sanctify us under your word.

Set us apart once again in such a way that would be aware of your claim upon us.

To be your people, to be your witnesses in this world.

Continue to bless us, we pray, as a congregation.

Bless us, O Lord, under your word especially.

May we find that the fruit of righteousness is produced steadily in our own lives and our experience.

May we prove to be, O Lord, faithful and willing, a testimony to the world around us of your grace and of your love.

And we ask, Lord, that we may prize those things by which you reveal yourself to us.

Help us especially in these days when so much change is taking place around us.

When we hear of so many changes taking place amongst your own believing people.

Lord, we pray that you would enable us to hold firm to the rock that is Jesus himself.

And help us to carry forward those great truths that you have delivered unto us.

That were delivered once for all to the saints of God.

Help us, O Lord, to be proud of them.

To hold on to them in such a way that would truly commend them steadfastly to the generation we belong to.

And we ask, O Lord, that the gospel may come to flourish once again in our midst.

We pray that the power of your Holy Spirit will apply the teaching of your word, the preaching of your word to this generation we belong to.

Remember our young people.

And while we pray, O Lord, for those who are of an older age group as well.

We do remember, O Lord, that those young ones who are coming up now to be taught under the gospel.

Are those who would carry the banner of Christ in the future.

We thank you that they belong to your church even from their infancy as your promises reach them in your grace.

And we pray that as they are nurtured under the gospel, that their own lives, Lord, may develop in such a way that they will be themselves increasingly known as the people of God.

Remember each and every family who faithfully bring their children to worship, to the Sunday school, to other activities.

And we pray, O Lord, for each and every family that you would bless them.

Bless them, we pray, with your own protective care in days when we know there is so much around us that seeks to bring our children and our young people away from the things of God.

Away from the things that make for a wholesome and steady life.

And we ask that you would protect them to help them walk in the ways of your truth.

Bless, we pray, all who tonight need you in particular ways as we think of those who tonight mourn the passing of loved ones in our congregation here and in the community.

O Lord, draw near to them, we pray.

Give them the grace and the strength that they require.

Give them a sense of their need of you, a sense of drawing their strength from you so that they will come to seek you with all their heart and seek your comfort and your direction at this time.

We pray, O Lord, not only for those but for others we hear of as well.

Remember the family of the diver who tragically died in these past days here in the harbor.

We ask that you would, Lord, draw near to them, though we don't know them.

We thank you that you know them and you're able to console their hearts and bring to them the comfort which you alone are able to bring.

We ask, Lord, your blessing too for those of our number who experience illness at this time.

We pray for them.

Those recovering from illness, from surgery, those anticipating treatment in the days to come.

Lord, remember them, we pray.

Give them that calmness of heart that would trust and rely upon you.

And we pray, O Lord, that you would grant us your blessing now as we seek here to remain faithful,

as we seek to remain active in our faith and in our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so we ask that your blessing will go with us now through the week ahead,

that all the activities that are anticipated taking place in the congregation will know your blessing.

And we ask, O God, that all of this will ultimately work towards your glory and your praise,

and that we may have that as our great aim and the purpose for our lives and for all that we do,

to bring glory and honor to the name of God, our Savior.

Receive us, we pray, and pardon our sins.

For Jesus' sake.

Amen.

We're going to sing again to God's praise.

Our singing this time is Psalm 102, the second version.

Psalm 102.

That's on page 368.

Singing to a tune, Herongate.

And it's verses 16 to 22.

God in his glory shall appear when Zion he builds and repairs.

He shall regard and lend his ear unto the needy's humble prayers.

The afflicted's prayer he will not scorn.

All times this shall be on record.

And generations yet unborn shall praise and magnify the Lord.

The focus tonight is going to be on prayer as we turn to God's Word shortly.

So these psalms themselves speak in different ways about prayer,

the place of prayer, the importance of prayer,

the purpose of prayer,

different other aspects of prayer as well,

in the psalms we're singing tonight.

So Psalm 102, page 368, from verse 16.

God in his glory shall appear.

God in his glory shall appear.

When Zion he builds and prepares,

He shall regard and lend his ear unto the needy's humble prayers.

The afflicted's prayer he will not scorn.

All times this shall be on record.

And generations yet unborn shall praise and magnify the Lord.

He promised,

He promised,

He promised,

He blessed,

Looked out,

The earth he knew,

From heaven on high,

To hear the prisoners' warning groan,

and feed them that are doomed to die.

That Zion and Jerusalem too,

his name and rich may well record.

When people and their kingdoms do,

assemble all to praise the Lord.

Now let's turn to read God's Word as we find that in Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 3.

Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, reading chapter 3 of that letter.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

of Christ. Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away

from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received

from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were

with you. Nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked

night and day that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right,

but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you

this command, if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you

walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busy bodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the

Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not

grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person

and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him

as a brother. Now may the God of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with

you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is a sign of genuineness in every letter

of mine. It is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. And so may God follow

with his blessing once again this reading of his own word. Now before we turn to this passage, let's

sing again. We're singing in Psalm 31. Psalm 31 in Sing Psalms, that's on page 36.

Singing verses 1 to 6. It's shown as Marel.

In you I've taken refuge, Lord. You are my shelter in distress. Oh, let me never be ashamed, but save me

in your righteousness. Lord, turn your ear to hear my cry. Come quickly to deliver me, and be my rock and

firm defense, my stronghold and security. You are my fortress and my rock. For your name's sake, be my

sure guide. Preserve me from the trap that's set. You are the refuge where I hide. Redeem me, Lord,

O God of truth. My spirit I commit to you. I hate all those who trust false gods. I trust the Lord,

for he is true. These verses, Psalm 31. In you I've taken refuge, Lord.

In you I've taken refuge, Lord. You are my shelter in distress. Oh, let me never be ashamed, but

save me in your righteousness. Lord, turn you here to hear my cry. Come quickly to deliver me,

and be my rock and firm defense. You are my fortress and my rock. For your

save me, be my sure guide. Preserve me from the top of the sand. You are the refuge where I hide.

redeem me, Lord, O God of truth. My spirit I commit to you. I hate all those who trust false gods. I trust the Lord.

So, you are my hope and I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Now if you turn with me please to the passage we read in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 and reading

2 Thessalonians 3 · chapter mention

again from the beginning. Finally brothers pray for us that the word of God may speed ahead and

be honored as happened among you that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men for not all

have faith but the Lord is faithful he will establish you and guard you against the evil one

and we have confidence in the Lord about you that you are doing and will do the things that we

command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Well the Bible gives us many topics for prayer. It gives us much information indeed as to what we

should pray for both in our own individuals in the individual sense and also in a congregational

setting. Those things that we find emphasized as Paul and others wrote to these churches to draw

their minds to the importance of prayer and the reasons that they needed to give such attention

to prayer. But the Bible also gives us God also gives us not only things to pray for, subjects for

prayer, topics for prayer, he also gives us motives for prayer, the purpose of prayer, what prayer is for,

what promises are attached to prayer, how we should pray, how we should not pray, and even sometimes

what not to pray for. But this is the information we have for our benefit in these verses as well. And in

verses 1 and 2 we find a request there for two things that Paul is actually commanding as he puts it in

the passage these Christians in the Thessalonican church to pray for. He's saying first of all pray for us and

there's a purpose behind that request. Pray for us so that the Word of God may speed ahead and be

honored as happened among you. So he's praying first of all he asks them to pray for them, for the gospel

messengers, himself and those who carry the message of the gospel and proclaim the message of the gospel.

And then he goes on to secondly ask that they pray that they may be delivered from wicked and evil men

for not all men have faith. In other words there's a prayer for the gospel message to be blessed and a

prayer for the gospel messenger to be protected. And they both fit very nicely together. You can't

separate the one from the other. And it's interesting some of the detail that you find in regard to this

as we go to these verses now as they appear there before us. First of all he's saying pray for us.

Now as he wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul makes it clear that he was very much aware

himself where his enabling came from, where the power that was required for the gospel to be effective

came from. In the first chapter of the first epistle he said we give thanks to God that he has chosen you

brothers loved by God because our gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy

Spirit and with full conviction. He knew that the gospel as it was effective in Thessalonica and in

every other place was effective precisely because God blessed it. There wasn't any methodology on the

part of Paul himself though he didn't actually shy away from thinking about the methods he used to present

the gospel and in fact you find that he presented the gospel in various ways. For example in the city

of Athens he presented the gospel to the Jews as he always did to the Jews going to the Old Testament

and arguing from the Old Testament towards Jesus and his identity and the gospel in Christ. But when he

spoke to the people of Athens themselves these pagan people he took as a starting point the altar that

he came across in the city that he came across in the city that was dedicated in the inscription to the

unknown God. He didn't start with the Old Testament he didn't start with the law of God he didn't start with

the promises that God had established in covenant with his people in the days of the Old Testament he

started with this. That was the starting point he worked from this altar that they had that they had erected and I

suppose they were amongst all the many idols that Athens was crammed full of there was maybe something

in the minds of these Athenians that perhaps they must they must actually dedicate this to the unknown

God in case they missed one out. And that's where Paul started and he he said I'm going to present to you

the God that I know the God who created all things that was a starting point God as creator

and he moved from there to to set out for them God as the Savior God in grace in Jesus Christ.

There's a lot of teaching in that itself for us that we don't just rush into presenting the gospel

in exactly the same way whatever our context is. Anyway coming back to 2 Thessalonians you find here

pray for us where the power of God had established a church in Thessalonica now he's saying

pray for us that the word of God may speed ahead and be honored. Because even in Paul's day the word

was not advancing even as Paul himself would desire and pray for there were times when the word was not

advancing in the way that Paul himself would have liked and it's true even of an apostle that there

were disappointments that there were things which he would bring to God and sometimes even ring out his

heart as he saw resistance to the gospel and opposition to the gospel and twisting of the gospel

and defections from the gospel things which themselves prevented the word from running ahead effectively

in the experience of these people. And so what he's saying is pray for us that the word of God may speed

ahead and be honored. Now he's not just saying to these Christians pray for us full stop. He's giving a

reason and a purpose why they should pray for him and for his companions and for those like-minded who are

preaching the gospel. It's so that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored. His purpose is

the gospel itself. His purpose is the advance of the word of God, the effectiveness of the word of God.

But he's saying pray for us. He's not just saying pray for the gospel to advance. He knows that he is

the instrument of God in order to proclaim the gospel to the world of his day. And so he's asking pray that

God will bless us so that the gospel will advance. And that's how it is down to the present day as you very well

know. And when there's perhaps more of a danger that preaching itself will be more and more set aside

as such a central part of the worship, the gathered worship of God, we have to take note of these very

important passages of the apostle where he sets out the importance of preaching, the purpose of preaching,

all the things that are attached to the preaching of the gospel. And we have to retain these and keep these,

and we have to emphasize these and promote these. And we have to actually show the word of our day

that we agree with the word of God that this is the method, the primary method that God uses

in order to bring people to know himself. It's a wonderful thing, isn't it, that the gospel that

God uses, the preaching of God's word, the preaching of the gospel that he uses to bring people to know

himself, to bring them to be converted, to be born again. That very same gospel is the gospel through

which these people are then fed spiritually. He doesn't bring the gospel just so that people can

be converted and then turn to something else. And Paul is not saying to pray for him and for his

companions, for one or the other. He's saying pray for us that the word of God may speed ahead

and be honored. And that's going to include new converts. It's going to include those who are

already converted to be built up in the faith. And that's why he's saying, brethren, pray for us.

Now, he's using what seems to be athletic language or imagery here. Paul, as you know, uses that from

time to time. And these words that he's using here, the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored.

Something you could illustrate perhaps by what you see when there are major athletic games such as the

Olympics or the World Championships. I think it's still the case that when a marathon is run, it's run

around the streets of whatever city or place the games are taking place in. But then for the final

part of the race, those who are running the marathon will actually come and enter the stadium

where the crowd are waiting for them. The other things are going on and they're waiting for them

to appear. They've run all of these miles. What is it, 26 something miles? And they've run all these

miles. And here they are the final stage doing a lap or maybe two of the stadium when they come back.

And as soon as the first one appears at the head of the race, whoever's first into the stadium,

running the marathon as they appear through the gates of the stadium, this mighty shout goes up.

There's a wonderful acclaim. There's a wonderful reception. There's an acknowledgement. Well,

they're back. And here's the first one. And let's acclaim them. Let's actually applaud what they've done.

Let's show out praise for their achievement.

And that's the kind of imagery that you find here that Paul is actually using when he's saying,

pray for us that the word of God may speed ahead and be honored. Because out in that world tonight,

the word of God is not in most of it, at least speeding ahead and honored. There isn't a welcome

given to the word of God. There isn't a welcome given to the gospel such as we would want, such as

we would desire, such as we pray for. But this is what Paul is reminding us of. For that welcome to

actually be produced and come to take place, what do we need to do? We need to pray for the preaching of

the gospel. We need to pray for the gospel, however it's actually disseminated amongst people. Not just

the preaching of it, though that's primarily what Paul has in mind, but everything that accompanies

the preaching of the word in order to actually present the truth of God to the current generation.

He's saying, pray for us that the reception given to the word may be one of great welcome, that be a

great acclaim and applause in the hearts of human beings, bringing into their own experience through

faith the provision God has made in grace and the gospel in Jesus Christ. Stornoway needs the gospel.

Our country areas need the gospel. Glasgow needs the gospel. Areas of the country where the gospel has

receded so much over the years needs the gospel. We have church plants going on different parts of our

land, our own denomination planting churches. What's that about? Well, the purpose for that is that the

word of God may speed ahead and be honored, that people will come in receiving the message of the

word of God, come to turn to God, come to turn to Christ, come to give their lives to the Savior. That's

what it's about. But he's saying, pray for us. Pray for those who actually bring the gospel before

people like yourselves in these days as well. Now, this is not, therefore, about praise and honor for the

messenger for the church. It's not about bringing ourselves into the picture, as it were, so that

we will be elevated. Whatever you do, don't elevate ministers. Don't elevate us beyond what God's own

calling does. We're not here to receive praise from you for ourselves. We're here as ambassadors for

Christ. We're here as those who present the gospel in the name of Christ and for the glory of Christ. And

what he's saying is, oh, pray for us, brothers, so that the word of God may speed. He's not saying,

pray for us so that we'll have great prestige. There are preachers in the world tonight, and really,

most of what they're about is prestige for themselves. Prestige and honor and a place,

celebrity preachers, if you like. This is not what Paul is about. He's not interested in being

a celebrity preacher. He's not interested in personal prestige. He's interested in Christ,

and Christ actually being made known to people. He's interested and concerned for people to be saved,

for people in the churches that he's writing to hold on to the truth tenaciously, to promote that truth,

not to defect from that truth. All of these things Paul is seeking their prayers for,

not for himself, not for himself per se, but for himself for this purpose,

that the word may be received and recognized and honored. And that tonight is what we ourselves

also appeal for. And you see, Paul is not in any way embarrassed by presenting himself in this way

to the people that he's writing to. And while certainly we have to be careful in presenting

ourselves as preachers of the gospel to the likes of yourselves in what we say and what we do,

we should never be embarrassed in saying, pray for us, pray for me, pray for Calamordo,

pray for us, and pray for all who are presenting the gospel, but especially in our own context here

in this congregation. Brothers, sisters, pray for us. Why? So that the word of God may actually

flow forth with power and be received with honor and speed ahead and be honored.

So that our young people may come to turn to the Lord and give themselves to the Lord.

So the families in this congregation may come to be believing families, worshiping families,

witnessing families, lights in this dark world, so that we see the blessing of God of his word

in these contexts. And you see, what he's saying is that as it happened among you,

so that this will again happen elsewhere. He's drawing their minds to the fact that what happened

with themselves, that the word of God did indeed speed ahead and was honored as they knew its blessing

from God in their midst. Now he's saying, you've known that, but you're not to keep that to yourselves.

Pray for us so that this may be repeated, that this may spread forth.

And that's how it is for ourselves as well.

We pray for individuals to be converted, to be saved. We pray for the people of God to be

nourished and fed and grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

We pray for families. We pray that the gospel may speed ahead in the context of families,

that they come under its blessing. We pray that the gospel may speed ahead and be blessed in terms of

marriages, relationships.

The word of God may speed abroad and be blessed by God to our children, to our teenagers, to those who

are at that stage in between childhood and adulthood.

There's so much

to hinder the gospel.

But one thing

that we might say hinders it as much as anything else is prayerlessness.

There's lack of prayer for its

speeding ahead and its being blessed through the preaching of the word.

So, that's Paul's appeal to the Thessalonians. That's the appeal of Scripture to ourselves

tonight. It's not me making the appeal, though I would hope to actually say this is my appeal as

well as I fall into line with the thinking of the apostle as it is right and becoming of me to do so

as a minister of the gospel, as your minister of the gospel.

Brethren, pray for us.

Pray for us so that the word of God

may speed ahead

and be honored.

And let me just make an appeal

here for prayer,

not just for individual, private prayer,

personal prayer,

but also for our prayer meetings.

You know, if you go online to

just Google in,

why is the prayer meeting important?

You'll actually find lots of responses

in different parts of the world,

and I only just checked it very briefly.

But sadly,

so much of these responses is

on the part of

individuals,

whether they're ministers

or congregations,

that really just say,

well, the percentage of their people

who actually attend

regularly

the prayer meetings of the church

is very much less

than it ought to be.

And you'll find different percentages there.

And virtually all of these

are complaining about the same thing,

that it's so difficult

to persuade people

to attend the prayer meetings.

Now, we all have duties.

We all have family duties.

We all have various things

that would legitimately

keep us at times

from attending the weekly meeting,

the weekly meeting for prayer,

for study of the Bible

in more depth.

But remember,

the prayer meeting

contributes to your personal growth,

but it also strengthens

the bonds

between the believing people of God

when they gather together

in the setting of prayer

and of studying the Bible together

and its teaching.

It's really part of

what the apostle elsewhere

calls bearing

one another's burdens.

We cannot bear

one another's burdens

meaningfully and fully

just by praying on our own

at home

and never coming

to meet together

for prayer.

We bear one another's burdens

when we are together

sharing these burdens,

praying over these burdens,

presenting these burdens

to God.

The prayer meeting

is where we share

needs

and requests

and praises,

where we engage

together

in prayer

for the gospel

to advance.

Paul is not suggesting here

that this is something

these Christians do

privately

or only privately.

There's no suggestion

at all of that.

And I'm sure, in fact,

that the main emphasis is

when you come together

is what he would mean,

pray for us.

And it's a way, too,

of expressing

our concern

for the gospel

to advance,

to plead with God

for His blessing

of the gospel,

for His direction

in the ways

of evangelism

and outreach

and witnessing.

We pray all these things

before God

together.

It's a way

of expressing

as well

and experiencing

and valuing

our unity

in Christ.

If we value

our unity in Christ,

then we value

being together.

We value what

the writer

to the Hebrews,

as he put it,

do not neglect

the gathering

of yourselves

together

as the manner

of some is.

and what was

his purpose

in doing that?

It was precisely

that they stimulate

one another

to love

and to good works.

It wasn't just

something that

they enjoyed fellowship,

they enjoyed having

a cup of tea

or a cup of coffee

or something,

maybe that comes into it,

there's nothing wrong

with that,

but his main concern

was so that they

stimulate each other

to love

and to good works.

It's very difficult

to stimulate yourself

to love

when you're on your own,

when you're not

with the Lord's

believing people.

So here's,

you might say,

our appeal

tonight.

Brethren,

sisters,

pray for us.

Pray for us

together.

Pray for us.

Come together

for prayer.

Come together

to plead with God

for his word,

to speed ahead

and be honored

so that the blessing

of God

will flow

through this congregation

and out

into the world

because through prayer

lots of things

by God's blessing

can be seen

to take place.

But then secondly,

he's saying

pray for the gospel

messenger

to be protected.

Pray for us

that the word of the Lord

may speed ahead

and be honored

as happened among you

and that we may be delivered

from wicked

and evil men

for not all

have faith.

But the Lord

is faithful.

He will establish you.

Now it's not

obvious

what the opposition

is there,

though at other times

Paul mentions

more specifically

what his opponents,

whose opponents are

and what they're like.

It may well be

that this was also

from within the church

and it's really

quite a thought-provoking thing

to actually take note

of how soon

heresies

and departures

from the faith

set in

even while the apostles

were still living

and how much more

since then.

So as he's saying

pray for us

that we may be delivered

from wicked

and evil men.

And what he means

by that

includes the likes

of false teaching.

Look at how often

false teaching

is mentioned

in these letters

of the apostle.

Whether it's to

these churches

or to the likes

of Timothy and Titus.

False teaching

that was spreading

as he put it to Timothy

like a gangrene

which if it's left alone

just makes its way

and spreads

throughout any body

of people

any church.

Well he's saying

pray for us

that the word of God

may speed ahead

and be honored

because the more

the word of God

is blessed to you

the more you pray

together

that your own life

life will be protected

against decay

and defection

so the more

that will contribute

to the wholesomeness

and the well-being

of the church.

Pray for us

that it may

speed ahead

and be honored

among you

for not all

have faith.

That's a very solemn statement.

Not all have faith.

Especially if the apostle

was thinking

and including

as I'm sure he was

some within

the church

as it was seen

in places like

Thessalonica.

Not all

have faith.

Not all are committed

to Christ.

What he's saying here

is far from it.

Some are even opposed

to him.

Some do their best

to stand

against the progress

of the gospel.

And it's no different

in our day

is it?

In fact,

it's very obvious

that that's still the case.

The gospel

is hindered

though God

of course

is ultimately

sovereignly

in control

of all things

of all events

but the gospel

is certainly

effectively hindered

when people

actually defect

from the gospel

when ministers

of the gospel

certainly defect

from the gospel

begin teaching

things which are

at odds

with the teaching

of scripture

whether it's

about human behavior

or certain doctrines

that are foundational

to an understanding

of salvation

all of those things

hinder the gospel

and we need

your prayer

for us

to be protected

against that decline

against that slide

into heresy.

Martin Lloyd-Jones

once said

somewhere in his writings

every institution

has in itself

the capacity

to turn into

the opposite

of itself

and that's

quite true

of a church

and a congregation

as well

because we're

human beings

we're flawed

human beings

even as Christians

we have

a tendency

towards

things which

we ought to shun

and put behind us

and what we

pray for is

that we will be

kept from that

that you'll be

kept from that

that we as

preachers of the gospel

will be kept

from teaching

or coming to

understand anything

other than

apostolic doctrine

apostolic teaching

that was passed

on by the apostles

to those who

came after him

to these churches

that were taught

under their ministry.

Brethren

he says

pray for us

that the word

of God

may speed ahead

and be honored

for not all

have faith

that we may

be delivered

from wicked

and evil men.

He uses words

here which

sometimes

maybe today

are words

which folk

find it very

difficult to accept

you wouldn't

find the ordinary

man in the street

tonight in Stornway

accepting of

himself or

of herself

that actually

essentially

in their inner

spiritual being

they're wicked

regard wickedness

as something done

by great criminals

someone who's

gone out to

murder someone

someone who's

actually committed

murder or a

serious crime

like that

that's wickedness

but don't tell me

there's wickedness

in my heart

I've never done

anything like that

that's the reaction

that's the kind

of understanding

you meet with

whereas God

sets out in his word

the word

wicked

doesn't mean

just desperately

wicked

in a public

and open sense

in that way

wickedness

is whatever

is turned

against God

whatever

is turned

effectively

against the gospel

whatever

is deliberately

seeking to

thwart the gospel

seeking to stand

in the way

of its advance

wherever it is

wherever it

comes from

wherever you find it

Paul is not ashamed

to say

that all men

have not faith

please

he says

I appeal to you

he's actually

commanding them

pray for us

so that we be

delivered from

wicked and evil men

you see

because Paul was

concerned that the gospel

would advance

all the time

and when you read

the book of Acts

and you read

his imprisonments

and you read

the way that even

in Philippi

as he wrote

to the Philippians

as we saw

going through

Philippians

not so long ago

he was concerned

of course

to set out

for the Philippians

that even in

Caesar's households

there were Christians

there were people

that come to know

the Lord

the gospel

had reached

and penetrated

there

but Paul is

under no illusion

that wickedness

and wicked people

are set

and determined

against the gospel

and he's saying

pray that we may be

delivered from them

that the gospel

will not be thwarted

that the gospel

will advance

but you see how he

also counters this

this reality

and it's a reality

that we ourselves

know in our day

wicked and evil men

people who

are marked by

by a determined

opposition to God

a determined

opposition to

elevate ungodliness

remember

ungodliness

is no mere

negative thing

it's a positive

sinfulness

and the ungodliness

of our day

is an ungodliness

that seeks

in a very determined

way

if it doesn't

actually

undermine the gospel

and certainly

divert or deflect

it away

from its

essential teaching

then it becomes

no gospel

at all

so pray for us

that we be kept

that we be protected

that we be guarded

that God

will look after us

that God

will see to it

that we don't defect

that we don't actually

in any way

prove to be untrue

to the God

who has called us

pray that for yourself

too

pray that for the congregation

pray that we will

continue

in seeking

to be faithful

to God

to look

to God's own

faithfulness

as he's putting it here

not all have faith

but the Lord

is faithful

he says

not all

have faith

there are some

who don't have faith

at all

but God is faithful

he's full of faithfulness

he's never unfaithful

now there's a great truth

God is never unfaithful

you can depend on God

what God says

is what God will do

what God says

he is like

that is what he's

truly like

and so you can come

at all times

to depend on what God

is saying

that it is the very truth

take that as truth

not as the world today

would define truth

and as some elements

in the church

would define truth

as just something relative

something that moves

and is malleable

and changes from generation

to generation

depending on what's current

in the culture of the day

God is faithful

and he is faithful

in keeping us

in his truth

and by his truth

to actually keep on

presenting the gospel

the word of Christ

to the generation

we belong to

and you see

that's a deliberate

contrast then

between

not all have faith

but the Lord

is faithful

oh how many times

we in our lives

I mean we in terms

of our Christian life

not just preaching

the gospel

how many times

we as Christians

you and I

just have to stop

and say

Lord I'm so thankful

that you are faithful

that you are faithful

to your word

that you are faithful

to your promises

that when I see

of my own tendency

when I see the sin

of my own heart

when I see how slow

I am to learn

when I see how often

I go back

to the same things

that I do

that I should not have done

and I keep repeating

the mistakes that I've made

and the sins

that I've actually

committed in your presence

Lord I thank you

that you are faithful

that your faithfulness

will never ever be changed

of course

God's faithfulness means

he's faithful

against those

who oppose him as well

he will do

as he has spoken

and so he's saying

pray for us

for God himself

is faithful

in other words

that's a great

motive to prayer

isn't it

that God is really

saying through that

that your prayers

are heard by him

that your prayers

will be answered by him

maybe not exactly

when or how

you actually anticipate them

but God hears

and God takes note

and God puts in his diary

every single moment

the prayers

that his people

pray to him

the requests

that they make to him

the thanksgivings

that they send up to him

they're not lost

on God

and as God

takes note of them

so we can seek God

to answer

our prayers

he will establish you

and guard you

against the evil one

we have confidence

in the Lord

about you

that you are doing

and will do

the things

that we command

now

we can't command you

as preachers of the gospel

only an apostle

could say that

coming with that force

and authority

that God gave

the apostle

to say such a thing

we command you

what we are doing

is following

the command of scripture

and saying

this is what God commands

this is what he requires

and so tonight

that's what he requires

of us

we have confidence

he says in the Lord

that you are doing

and will do

the things

that we command

and he finishes

by saying

may the Lord

direct your hearts

to the love of God

and to the steadfastness

of Christ

well how many sermons

are in that

final verse alone

may the Lord

direct your hearts

to the love of God

and to the steadfastness

of Christ

and commentators

are divided

as to whether

Paul means

the love of God himself

or the love of his people

for God

or whether he means

the steadfastness

of Christ himself

or steadfastness

on the part

of his people

as the people

of Christ

it seems best

to take it as

in the first sense

that this is

the love of God himself

that God will direct you

direct your hearts

to the love of God

because that ultimately

really is where

our security is

isn't it

it's not my love

for God

because that sometimes

sadly comes and goes

or wanes at least

sometimes

as far less

than it should be

and is never

as much as it should be

but you can never say

that of God's love

and the provision

that God's love

has made

for his people

when God

as he has

has loved his people

he has loved them

with that love

that has provided

everything they need

for them

a saviour

and all that comes

with him

and you remember

how these

probably little used

and I'm speaking

to myself too

little used epistle

the epistle of Jude

near the end

of the Bible

remember how Jude

sets out there

remember he

he had it in mind

to write about

some things

which belonged to

foundational things

of the gospel

the things about

our common salvation

he says

but I found it necessary

to write appealing

to you

to contend

for the faith

that was once

for all

delivered

to the saints

for certain people

have crept

in unnoticed

he's talking about

the church

crept in unnoticed

who long ago

were designated

for this condemnation

ungodly people

who pervert

the grace

of our God

into sensuality

and deny

our only Master

and Lord

Jesus Christ

but what I'm

concerned is

how he actually

finishes that

short letter

you he says

beloved

building yourselves

up in your most

holy faith

praying in the

Holy Spirit

keep yourselves

in the love

of God

you see how

that goes together

you beloved

despite all

that you see

of defections

despite all

that you know

is happening

in the world

or even in the

church elsewhere

this is

he says

what you must do

building yourselves

up in your

most holy

faith

using God's

truth

to advance

in your

godliness

in your

Christianity

in your

commitment to

Christ

in your service

for the Lord

in your holiness

of life

doing that

he says

praying in the

Holy Spirit

keep yourselves

in the love

of God

how do you

keep yourself

in the love

of God

what does

that mean

well it means

essentially

the love

with which

God has

loved his

people

and the

provision

that he's

made for

in that

love

including

the gospel

keep yourselves

in that

don't be

led away

from something

that is

other than

God's

loving

provision

for you

and keep

yourselves

under this

conviction

that in

God's

love

everything

is provided

that sinners

need for

salvation

there is no

greater subject

than the

love of

God

in Christ

Jesus

our Lord

which is

why Paul

finishes

that great

chapter in

Romans

Romans 8 · chapter mention

chapter 8

where he's

persuaded

that neither

death

nor life

nor angels

nor principalities

nor things

present

nor things

to come

nor height

nor depth

shall be

able to

separate us

from the

love of

God

that is in

Christ Jesus

our Lord

and interestingly

he put it that way

it doesn't just say

able to separate us

from God

or able to

separate us

from Jesus

Christ

able to

separate us

from the

love of

God

that's in

Christ Jesus

our Lord

the love

that sent

his son

into this

world

to die

the death

of the cross

the love

that looks

in a

fatherly way

that looks

after his

people

the love

of God

that's where

your security

the base

of your

security

is

and as you

know that

and as you

work from

that

you're building

up yourself

in your most

holy faith

keep yourselves

in the love

of God

pray for us

pray for

yourselves

keep on

praying

don't stop

praying

add to

the praying

you're

presently

doing

come

together

for

prayer

don't

ever lose

an opportunity

to be

together

for prayer

and pray

that we

be kept

for not

all

have

faith

let's

pray

we

give

thanks

Lord

for

all

the

appeals

and

all

the

commands

of

your

word

and we

give

thanks

that as you

give faith

to your

people

so you

give them

that faith

that

itself

knows

of

these

aspects

of your

word

registering

in their

hearts

we

ask that

you

would

enable

us

Lord

in the

exercise

of our

faith

to rejoice

at all the

things you

give us

to rejoice

in

to tremble

at your

threatenings

to take

note of the

warnings that you

give us in

scripture

to hold to your

great and glorious

promises

and to look

forward

expectantly

that you will

indeed

establish us

that you will

continue to

provide for us

receive our

thanks now we

pray and

cleanse us

from the

many sins

for Jesus

sake

amen

we're going

to sing now in

conclusion in

psalm 71

psalm 71

this is on

page 310

verses 1

to 5

O Lord

my hope

and confidence

is placed

in thee

alone

then let

thy

servant

never be

put to

confusion

let me

in thy

righteousness

from thee

deliverance

have

cause me

escape

incline

thy

ear

unto me

and me

save

so on

down to

verse 5

free me

my God

from wicked

hands

hands cruel

and unjust

for thou

O Lord

God

art my

hope

and from

my youth

my trust

obedience

confidence.

O Lord, my hope and confidence is placed in thee alone.

Then let thy servant ever be new to your future.

And let me in thy righteousness from the given the time.

Cause me escape, then find my ear unto me and be saved.

Be thou my dwelling hope to which I ever may resort.

Thou give'st commandment me to save, for thou'rt my rock and fort.

Free me, my God, from wicked hands, and through the land of just.

For thou, O Lord, art my hope, and from my youth my trust.

Amen.

I'll go to the main door after the benediction.

And now may grace and mercy and peace from God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

be with you now and evermore.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.